At Kids Academy centres across Australia, we believe that kindness isn’t just something we say—it’s something we do! Young children learn best through hands-on experiences, and what better way to nurture kindness than through fun and engaging activities? By encouraging kindness in everyday play, we help children develop empathy, teamwork, and positive social behaviours that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Kindness isn’t just about being polite—it’s about understanding emotions, helping others, and making the world a better place. Research shows that children who regularly engage in kind behaviours develop stronger friendships, better emotional regulation, and higher self-esteem. Plus, being kind makes us feel good too!
Here are some interactive games and activities to teach kids how to care for others while having fun.
Cooperative Games: Encouraging Teamwork and Caring
Games are a great way to help children understand cooperation, fairness, and kindness. Unlike competitive games where there’s a winner and a loser, cooperative games focus on teamwork and working toward a common goal.
The Kindness Jar
Ages: 3+
What you need: A jar, small pieces of paper, and markers
How to play:
- Every time a child does something kind (e.g., helping a friend, sharing a toy, giving a compliment), they write or draw it on a piece of paper and put it in the jar.
- At the end of the week, read the kindness notes together and celebrate all the caring moments!
- Once the jar is full, do a special activity as a group, such as a fun outdoor play session or a dance party.
Pass the Compliment
Ages: 4+
What you need: A soft ball or small toy
How to play:
- Children sit in a circle and pass around the ball.
- Whoever holds the ball gives a compliment to the person next to them.
- Keep going until everyone has had a turn.
- This activity teaches children how to give and receive kind words, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Building Together
Ages: 3+
What You Need: Building blocks, LEGO, or wooden blocks
How to Play:
- Children work together to build a structure (a tower, a house, or a fun creation).
- Encourage them to share blocks, help each other, and praise one another’s contributions.
- This promotes teamwork, patience, and problem-solving skills.
Simple Acts of Kindness for Different Age Groups
Kindness can be practiced in small, everyday actions. Here are some age-appropriate ideas for encouraging kindness at home.
For toddlers (1-3 years old):
- Helping tidy up toys after playtime
- Giving a high-five or a hug to comfort a friend
- Saying “please” and “thank you”
For preschoolers (3-5 years old):
- Making a thank-you card for an educator or family member
- Helping set the table for mealtimes
- Sharing toys and taking turns
For older kids (5+ years old):
- Reading a story to a younger child
- Donating toys or books to charity
- Including someone new in their playgroup
By encouraging age-appropriate kindness, children build habits of care and empathy from an early age.
Kindness in Storytelling: Learning Through Role-Play
Stories are a powerful tool for teaching children about emotions and kindness. Reading books about kindness and acting out scenarios helps children understand how their actions impact others.
Books That Inspire Kindness:
- Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud – Teaches children that kind actions “fill” others’ happiness buckets. Ages 4-9.
- The Lion and the Mouse by Aesop – A classic fable that shows how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Ages 3-6.
- Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer – A fun, engaging book that explores the many ways we can be kind. Ages 1-4.
Role-Playing Kindness
- Act out scenarios: Pretend-play situations where a child helps a friend, comforts someone, or shares a toy.
- Puppet show: Use puppets to demonstrate kindness and problem-solving in social situations.
- Mirror game: Have children mimic different emotions (happy, sad, frustrated) and discuss how kindness can help in each scenario.
The Science of Kindness: How It Makes Us Feel Good
Did you know that being kind releases “feel-good” hormones in the brain? Science proves that acts of kindness don’t just help others—they also make us feel happier and healthier!
- Oxytocin: Known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is released when we do something kind, making us feel more connected to others.
- Serotonin: Acts of kindness boost serotonin, which improves mood and helps regulate emotions.
- Endorphins: Helping others triggers endorphins, giving us a sense of joy and reducing stress.
When children learn about the science behind kindness, they see that kindness is not just a rule to follow—it’s something that makes them feel good too!
Final Thoughts: Encouraging Kindness Every Day
At Kids Academy, we believe that kindness is a superpower that every child can develop. By incorporating cooperative games, everyday acts of kindness, storytelling, and science-backed insights, we help children understand that kindness is fun, rewarding, and an important part of being a great friend.
Encourage your little one to try one of these activities today—whether it’s helping a friend, reading a kindness-themed story, or simply sharing a smile. Try these fun kindness activities at home or in our Kids Academy centres across Australia.
Visit your nearest Kids Academy centre, book a tour and enrol today!